The Point Spread Betting Handbook
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Point Spread Bets Explained for Zambian Players
In the world of sports, teams and individual players rarely have identical skill levels or performance. This difference is often clear when they compete, and that's precisely why the spread bet is essential in the thriving sports betting scene. For Zambian bettors, understanding this is key to enhancing their betting experience.
Spread betting is one of the most popular sports betting types in sports like basketball and American football. To even the playing field between teams and add more excitement for gamblers, bookmakers create point spreads. These spreads make betting on both the favourite (more likely to win) and the underdog (less likely to win) more appealing. Essentially, point spread bets give the stronger team a handicap, requiring them to win by a certain margin of points. Conversely, the underdog gets an advantage, allowing them to lose by a specific number of points and still 'cover the spread'.
New to betting? It might sound complex, but it's quite simple. Let's break it down with an example.
When you see a point spread listed, you'll notice a number next to each team. This is the point spread, often accompanied by a minus (-) or plus (+) sign.
- The minus (-) sign indicates the team that is favoured to win.
- The plus (+) sign indicates the underdog.
Let's imagine an NFL match taking place. Here's how the point spread might look:
- Rams -5.5 (must win by 6 or more points)
- Bengals +5.5 (can win or lose by 1 to 5 points)
Now, let's say the Rams win the game by 30-27. That's a 3-point difference. Since the spread required the Rams to win by 6 or more, bettors who backed the Bengals would win their spread bets in this scenario. If the Rams had won by 10 points, then their spread bettors would have been successful.
What About The "-110" Next To The Spread?
These numbers represent the payout odds, often called the 'vig' (short for vigorish) or 'juice' in American Odds. The vig is the commission that bookies charge for taking a wager.
A common figure like -110 means that for every $1 you wish to win, you need to wager $1.10. If you wanted to win K110 at -110 odds, you would need to bet K110.
Point Spread Bet Outcomes
With spread bets, there are three possible results: a win, a loss, or a push. We've covered wins and losses, but what's a push? A push happens when the game's outcome lands exactly on the spread. Unlike a win where the sportsbook pays out as per the wager, a push results in a cancelled bet, and you get your original stake back. For Zambian players, this refund is a key part of understanding the bet's risk.
When Teams Seem Perfectly Matched
Sometimes, games are listed as 'pick 'em' (PK), meaning both teams are considered equal in their chances of winning. In these cases, there's no point spread, but both sides might be listed at -110 odds. To win your bet, the team you choose must win the game outright. A push only occurs if the game ends in a tie, in which case your stake is refunded.
Understanding 'The Hook'
This is another common term in spread betting. The 'hook' refers to the half-point in a spread that can decide the outcome, tipping the balance from a win to a push or loss, and vice versa.
Spread Betting Considerations for Zambian Bettors
We could go into deep detail, but we want to keep this guide focused on the essentials of point spread bets for you. Here are a few things to keep in mind before you start:
Spreads Can Change
The odds you lock in when placing a point spread bet are what determine your payout. It's common for spreads to shift or 'move' as the game approaches. However, these changes won't affect any bets you've already placed.
Betting Both Sides ('The Middle')
Often, one team attracts most of the bets. To encourage betting on the other side, bookmakers will adjust the spread. This creates an opportunity to 'bet the middle,' where you wager on both teams with their respective spreads. If the game's final score falls between both spreads, you win both bets!
Buying Points
Yes, you can actually buy points to improve your chances of winning a spread bet in sports like American football and basketball. This allows you to adjust the line in your favour.
Home Field Advantage
Apart from determining the favorite team with a more popular form, there are other factors oddsmakers must consider when creating point spreads. Like where the game is being played, because having a home field advantage benefits the team playing in their own stadium — we see this in most sports disciplines.
Moneyline Bets vs. Point Spreads
Moneyline and point spreads are both relatively easy betting types, perfect for beginners. We’ve explained what point spread betting is, but what is a moneyline bet, and which is superior? It depends.
A moneyline bet is the most basic sports betting type and it’s also the simplest to grasp. Essentially, bettors predict who will win (the final score isn't a consideration) in a given game or sporting event. If your guess materializes, you win and make a profit. If you’re wrong, you lose.
Point spreads require a bit more contemplation, since bettors are not choosing an outright winner — they’re selecting a team to win against the spread. A spread bet is largely focused on the final score and is slightly more intricate than a moneyline bet, but it has the advantage of bigger payouts.
Other Sports Betting Types
Parlays: A parlay or an accumulator is a mix of several wagers into one bet. Each wager, or leg as it’s commonly referred to, must come through for you to win a parlay. While parlays are the riskier bet option, they are attractive because the odds are greater and bettors can wager on more sporting events with a single stake.
Over/Under: With an over/under bet, the bookie determines the total score, and bettors predict whether the result will be over or under that amount. If you choose and the teams’ combined score is, indeed, over the set total, you win.
How to Bet on Sports Online
Most importantly, when placing a bet, choose a licensed sportsbook or casino that is renowned for using sophisticated software from leading providers in the trade. This guarantees a first-class betting service, delivering an elite overall gambling experience.
Unique Betting Software to Look out For
OpenBet
OpenBet creates the betting interface for some of the biggest online bookies in the world. They’re deemed tops in the software market, and the provider’s legendary Informix Dynamic Server allows millions of bets to be placed seamlessly and simultaneously through several bookmakers.
Geneity
Licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, Geneity is a software provider that falls under Playtech. The multi-channel bookie platform is most notable for being able to create over 100 football betting markets for a given match.
SBTech
Many new sportsbook operators in the UK team up with SBTech for their award-winning white-label solution that offers competitive odds across a variety of sports betting markets.
Betradar
Betradar is the brains behind sports-related live scores and digital content on many leading bookie sites, like bet365.
Inspired Gaming
Another software trailblazer in the industry, Inspired Gaming, knows a thing or two about producing world-class virtual sports betting services. They’re also leaders in Server-Based Technology and work alongside OpenBet to provide some of the best virtual sports products.
Kambi
When visiting leading sportsbook operators such as Unibet, 888Sport, and Leo Vegas, you will notice that they all feature Kambi’s user-friendly interfaces. The Malta-based software provider also offers a white-label sportsbook platform with over 120,000 live betting events every year and some 250,000 pre-match events.
Steps for Placing an Online Bet
The best solution to betting online is to simply dive in and begin. Start small and always remember to have fun!
- Find a reputable, regulated sportsbook or an online casino that you trust. We’ll share a few of our favorite sites in just a bit.
- Create an account or log in to place a bet.
- Browse the sports betting offerings and choose one that appeals to you.
- Make a direct/demand deposit.
- Familiarize yourself with betting rules and strategies.
- Always set a budget and never exceed the amount.
- Place your bets.
How to Choose the Best Sites for Point Spreads
When weighing in on the right sportsbook to pave the way for a fun and successful betting journey, it’s important to look at these non-negotiable features:
A Licensed Casino
Always choose a reputable and trusted bookmaker with a recognized online casino license that guarantees an experience that is safe, secure, regulated, and fair. Also, look at the site’s deposit and withdrawal methods to see if the payment options align with your needs.
Read Reviews
Do your research, find third-party reviews and engage with other bettors who know a bit about the market and where to bet. A good sportsbook review will include information about the platform’s available payment options, bonuses, promotions, the sports covered, etc.
Online Sportsbook Promotions
Bonuses, promotions, free bets, and other concessions can truly boost winnings, especially for first-time bettors.
Customer Service
A reputable online bookmaker will be transparent about its operations, and this includes having an expert help ‘desk’ or similar available to gamblers. Whether it’s a physical address, a call center, email, or chatting to a consultant via social media — customer service should always be available.
Top Sports to Bet on
We’ve said it before: sports betting, particularly partaking in a point spread, is a fun and entertaining activity that will keep you on the edge of your seat thanks to the thrill and excitement. It also happens to offer an opportunity for wagering to win real money. With these in mind, we’ve narrowed down our favorite sports to bet on and insist you give them (and the point spread bet) a try:
Football
Of course, we’re leading in with the most popular point spread team sport, football. Not only is it an iconic sport loved and followed by millions around the world, but football also offers many benefits from a betting perspective. It boasts remarkable markets in betting due to its heavily strategic style. And what’s more? It’s easily and widely accessible in trusted sportsbooks, and it also features incredibly competitive odds on several events.
Horse Racing
When you mull over betting, there’s no way you can overlook the horse racing bet market. It’s huge on a global scale and presents a great strategic advantage. Sportsbooks with the offering provide live coverage and streaming availability is readily accessible. Horse racing also offers several unique promotions and, just like football, the market range is profoundly impressive.
NBA
Basketball is possibly one of the most fast-paced, thrilling sports to watch and bet on. Teams are generally highly skilled and adept, so playing each other often results in very close games to stir even more excitement. Bettors who are intrigued by strategy and statistics can really delve deep into NBA betting.
Sports Betting Tips and Tricks for Success
Learn the Odds
Go back to basics, whether it’s online or live betting. Discover the ins and outs of betting odds to improve your opportunity to win.
Switch Things Up
Instead of plugging all of your money into one wager, spread it out over multiple bets.
Root for the Underdog
It’s normal to want to back the more popular, statistically better team, but generally, betting on the underdog offers greater value and a bigger payout if the outcome goes in your favor.
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FAQ
What is point spread betting in sports?
Point spread betting is a way to even the odds between two teams in a sporting event. It involves betting on the margin of victory, rather than just who wins. For example, in football, a team might be favored by 7 points, meaning they need to win by more than 7 points for your bet to pay out.
Is point spread betting suitable for beginners in Zambia?
Point spread betting can be a good starting point, but it requires some understanding of the sport and the teams involved. If you're new to betting, it might be easier to begin with moneyline bets, where you simply bet on which team will win. However, with a bit of research, point spread betting can add excitement to watching sports.
Which sports are popular for betting in Zambia?
Football (soccer) is extremely popular, along with boxing and athletics. These sports offer a wide range of betting opportunities and are widely followed in Zambia.
What does "in-play" betting mean?
In-play betting, also known as live betting, allows you to place bets while a game or match is happening. The odds change in real-time based on what's happening in the event, offering dynamic betting opportunities.
What is considered "home field advantage"?
Home field advantage refers to the perceived benefit a team receives from playing in their own stadium or venue. Factors like familiar surroundings, supportive fans, and less travel can contribute to this advantage.
